City To Enforce Human Rights Law

December 26, 1988|By James Strong.

After Mayor Eugene Sawyer announced the 28 to 17 vote putting the controversial Human Rights Ordinance on Chicago`s law books to the cheering of the packed City Hall council chambers, attention turned to the impact and enforcement of the new codes.

While many aldermen opposed to the ordinance complained that it was nothing more than a sop to the gay and lesbian community, revised versions since the measure was first introduced in 1973 as a protection for

homosexuals, have expanded the code to a broad range of groups.

The version approved by the council last week could send shudders through the business community, real estate agents and financial institutions when the law is tested.

Under the new city code not only are people protected against discrimination on the basis of race, creed, national origin, sex and religion but also disability, sexual orientation, type of military discharge, source of income, and parental and marital status.

Despite new burdens on landlords, employers, lending institutions and service industries, business interests did not testify on the legislation during heated City Council committee hearings.

The bitter exchanges and testimony centered primarily on the morality of homosexual lifestyles rather than the broader aspects involving other groups. The ordinance introduced as a ``gay rights`` bill in 1973 languished for years in committee and never reached the council floor until 1986 when the gay and lesbian community with support from the late Mayor Harold Washington revived the issue only to see it killed by a 30 to 18 vote, 8 votes short of those needed for passage.

Recognizing the potential political benefits by supporting the small but high profile and vocal gay community, Sawyer ignored opposition by the black clergy, the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago and leading area rabbis and redrafted the measure and labeled it the Human Rights Ordinance.

To make it more palatable in corraling the necessary 26 votes, Sawyer broadened the protections to a laundry list of groups that could exert pressure on aldermen needing justification for endorsing the measure.

Ald. Patrick O`Connor (40th) tried to ease concern of the Catholic Church and others by inserting amendments exempting parochial schools and religious institutions from the law and with other aldermen assured constituents that they were not condoning any particular lifestyle, homosexual or otherwise. The measure failed by five votes Sept. 14.

Ald. Edward Burke (14th) summed up the majority of council opinion during debate last week when he said, ``The time has come to pass this and get onto other issues.``

The new Human Rights Ordinance, which is expected to take effect on or around Feb. 16, applies to all employers, public and private, owners of public accommodations, lending and bonding institutions, landlords or real estate firms in the sale or rental of housing.

In addition to the more high profiled minorities who feel discriminated against, the ordinance will apply to people with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), a disease the Illinois Department of Human Rights considers a disability.

Penalties for violations can range from $100 to $500 for each offense. The code further states that every day a violation continues will constitute a separate offense.

It is expected that gay organizations shortly will test the rental provisions of the ordinance. Hardest hit could be owners of small apartment buildings with families and children who object to homosexual tenants as neighbors.

People on welfare also will have grounds for remedial action if they are denied rental opportunities or are discriminated against in seeking loans or other privileges from financial institutions.

The new law could lead to an entire new bureaucracy to handle the complaints expected to be filed both on housing and other discrimination complaints.

Referring to the entire ordinance Ald. Bernard Stone (50th), who initially opposed the measure but switched his vote last week, said, ``The intentions are good, but I hope it is not abused.``

Housing discrimination charges must be filed with the city`s Department of Housing for investigation.

If the department determines a violation has occurred, both parties will be invited to a formal conciliation meeting in an attempt to resolve the complaint by ``persuasion.``

If the complaint is not resolved through conciliation within 60 days of the complaint`s filing, the Housing Department may refer the case to the city`s corporation counsel`s office for prosecution.

Other discrimination complaints must be filed with the Commission on Human Relations and may be done by telephone.